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Biomedical subjects

A G Ozgen

Publications and source records attributed to A G Ozgen.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Preprandial repaglinide decreases exogenous insulin requirements and HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetic patients taking intensive insulin treatment.

In this study, we investigated the effects of combining preprandial repaglinide to the insulin therapy for reducing the exogenous insulin requirements and serum HbA(1c) levels in type 2 diabetic patients whose blood glucose levels were previously regulated by multiple dose intensive insulin therapy. Fifty patients with type 2 diabetes who had been initially treated with oral antidiabetic agents without a satisfactory response were included in this study. After adequate glycemic control was achieved with intensive insulin therapy, the patients were divided into two subgroups. The first group continued with intensive insulin therapy. The second group received a combination of multiple insulin injections and oral repaglinide (1.5 mgr tid). The doses of insulin injections were gradually decreased accordingly in the second group. Both groups were followed-up for 3 months. Repaglinide was well tolerated and had no toxicity. A significant reduction regarding exogenous insulin requirements and serum HbA(1c) levels were demonstrated in patients taking preprandial repaglinide (p<0.01). Combining repaglinide to intensive insulin therapy could be a safe and effective alternative to intensive insulin therapy alone for the glycemic control and for reducing exogenous insulin requirements in type 2 diabetic patients.

Body Mass Index↗

Is the effect of fine-needle aspiration biopsy on the thyroid nodule volume important to evaluate the effectiveness of suppression therapy?

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is recommended for the initial evaluation of thyroid nodule. If a benign cytology is obtained, suppression therapy with levothyroxine is the first choice in the management of nodular goiter with a follow-up of nodule size with ultrasonography, but the effects of FNAB have not been taken into consideration in this approach. We aimed at evaluating the effect of FNAB on thyroid volume and other ultrasonographic dimensions by measurement of these parameters before and immediately after the procedure, and in later periods, and to clarify the necessity of regarding the effects of FNAB on thyroid. Forty-six patients (34 females, 12 males; mean age: 36.3+/-10.7 yr) with solitary thyroid nodules were included in the study. The nodules were solid in ultrasonography, thyroid function tests were normal and results of FNAB were found as benign cytology. Thyroid hormone suppression therapy was not initiated. Ultrasonographic measurements were made before FNAB, repeated immediately after FNAB, and 1 month and 6 months later. There were no statistically significant changes in the mean thyroid nodule volume, nodule area and circumference of patients before, immediately after FNAB, 1 month and 6 months later. Size differences and individual variability at each time period were analyzed. These parameters changed by more than 10% in a great majority (69.5-78.2%) of patients, and more than 50% change was observed in 17.3-26.0% of patients. Changes in thyroid dimensions were bi-directional, both increment and decrement being noticed. It was thought that this is the reason why there was no significant change in mean nodule volume, area and circumference. Evaluating the difference in nodule volume according to ultrasonographic parameters obtained before FNAB may be misleading because of the individual change in these parameters with FNAB. It may be useful to evaluate the nodule size and volume closely after FNAB to make a true correspondence of these parameters in the long term.

Adult↗

Hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid axis, triiodothyronine and antithyroid antibodies in patients with primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

It has been well established that, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (ATG) and anti-microsomal antibodies (AMC) may be present in various thyroid disorders and other systemic autoimmune diseases, including Sjögren's syndrome (SS). However, presence of circulating autoantibodies to thyroid hormones, i.e. both to triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4), has not been studied extensively in SS. Autoantibodies to T3 and T4 are very important, because serum T3 and T4 levels may be detected spuriously higher or lower, due to the presence of these autoantibodies. Their presence should be suspected when measured serum thyroid hormone levels are not consistent with clinical status of the patient. SS is a slowly progressive, inflammatory autoimmune disease, affecting primarily the exocrine glands. Thyroid gland, being a target in some autoimmune diseases, is well known to be affected in SS as well. Keeping this possibility in mind, we investigated T3 autoantibody levels and thyroid gland involvement in patients with SS. Twenty-six SS patients (F/M:22/4) with a mean age of 46.6 years, were recruited in this study. Twelve of them were accepted as primary SS (pSS), while others had secondary SS (sSS) (7 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 3 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 3 with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and 1 with sarcoidosis). Thyroid function tests, including T3, T4, fT3, fT4, TSH, ATG, AMC, T3 antibody measurements, thyroid scintigraphy, thyroid ultrasonography and TRH stimulation tests were performed in all patients. We compared our results with those of the twenty healthy normal controls. Serum ATG and/or AMC were detected in three patients with pSS (25%) and no patients with sSS. No significant difference could be shown in the other parameters, including T3 autoantibodies and thyroid function tests. TRH stimulation test was also normal, showing that the hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid axis was not affected in patients both with pSS and sSS. In conclusion, we found that T3 autoantibody levels in pSS, were not significantly higher than sSS and normal controls.

Adult↗

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the thymus complicated by Cushing's syndrome. Report of a 58-year-old woman with a 3-year history of hypertension.

A 58-year-old woman with a history of Cushing's syndrome for three years presented with a mediastinal mass and received the diagnosis of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the thymus invading the pericardium. On immunohistochemical study, the neoplastic cells reacted with antibodies against cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and ACTH. Clinicopathologic findings of this rare case of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome are discussed with a literature review.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Occurrence of Riedel's thyroiditis in the course of sub-acute thyroiditis.

Riedel's Thyroiditis is an uncommon form of chronic thyroiditis characterized by an invasive fibrosclerosis of the gland, often involving surrounding tissue. The relationship of Riedel's Thyroiditis to other forms of thyroiditis is not clear. We presented a 47 year-old woman first diagnosed with sub-acute thyroiditis based on clinical findings and laboratory results. Eight months later, she had a thyroidectomy operation due to an enlargement of the thyroid gland and symptoms of compression. Histopathologic evaluation showed that she had Riedel's Thyroiditis, but there were some histopathologic findings of sub-acute thyroiditis as well. Until now, there has only been one case reported in which Riedel's Thyroiditis was diagnosed in a patient with a history of sub-acute thyroiditis in the literature. Although aetiology of Riedel's Thyroiditis is unknown, it may develop in the course of sub-acute thyroiditis.

Acute Disease↗

Evaluation of routine basal serum calcitonin measurement for early diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma in seven hundred seventy-three patients with nodular goiter.

The aims of the study were to identify medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in its earliest stages by screening patients with basal calcitonin measurements and to determine whether basal serum calcitonin measurements should be a part of the routine evaluation of a nodular goiter. Basal serum calcitonin levels were obtained from 75 patients (female:male 57:18, mean age 42.8 years, range with 18-76 years) with nonnodular thyroid disease as controls. Their mean basal calcitonin level was 7.8+/-0.4 pg/mL with a range of 5-27 pg/mL. Seven hundred seventy-three patients with nodular goiter were included in the study (female:male 586:187) with the mean age of 46.1 years (range 17-78). Four patients had elevated basal serum calcitonin levels ranging between 150-1000 pg/mL. These 4 patients underwent surgery. MTC was confirmed by histopathology in all 4. One patient's mother and brother were also diagnosed as MTC as a result of family screening. Basal serum calcitonin levels were higher than 150 pg/mL in these patients. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of 2 of 4 MTC patients were incorrectly diagnosed as papillary carcinoma; another had malignant cytology and the fourth had benign cytology. None were diagnosed as MTC on the basis of FNAB. In conclusion, calcitonin measurement is an effective method for the diagnosis of MTC. Measurement of basal calcitonin levels in patients with malignant or suspicious FNAB may be a cost-effective approach to screen for MTC. High basal serum calcitonin levels increase the chance of curative therapy by diagnosing MTC in the early stages. It is superior to FNAB for diagnosis of MTC.

Adolescent↗

The 4A syndrome association with osteoporosis.

4A syndrome is characterised by adrenocortical insufficiency, achalasia, alacrima, autonomic and other neurological abnormalities. We report an 18-year-old boy with 4 A syndrome and having all classical features of the disease including sensorimotor neuropathy. In addition, the patient had low aldosterone levels and signs of osteoporosis, which apparently developed without glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Although it is speculated that the lack of local growth factors, nutritional deficiency secondary to achalasia or receptor abnormalities regarding bone metabolism contribute to osteoporosis, its etiopathogenesis still needs to be clarified.

Adolescent↗

Acarbose treatment in obesity: a controlled study.

UNLABELLED: Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor which reversibly inhibits oligosaccharidase and disaccharidase at the brush border of the small intestine. The aim of this study was to observe its effectiveness in the treatment of obesity. METHODS: Two groups of 25 obese women were put on a 15 kcal/kg/day low-calorie diet for 12 weeks. One group (the study group) received 150 mg/day acarbose for the first 2 weeks and 300 mg/day acarbose for the remaining 10 weeks. The second group (controls) received no additional treatment. Body weight, BMI, skinfold thickness, serum lipids, OGTT, and insulin and C-peptide responses to OGTT were assessed before and after the study. RESULTS: Body weight, BMI and skinfold thickness decreased significantly in both groups. Basal insulin and triglyceride levels in the study group, total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the control group decreased significantly. No difference was found between the two groups when these decrements were compared, but the triglyceride level fell more in the control group. CONCLUSION: Additional acarbose therapy is not more beneficial than low-calorie diet therapy alone.

Acarbose↗

Long-term treatment with acarbose for the treatment of reactive hypoglycemia.

OBJECTIVE: Acarbose, a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, provides a new concept for the treatment of metabolic disorders, and particularly diabetes mellitus. It reduces the postprandial blood glucose increment and insulin response. For this reason the drug has been successfully used not only in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but also in the management of reactive hypoglycemia and dumping syndrome. The primary aim of the present study is to evaluate the long-term effect of acarbose in reducing hypoglycemic symptoms and influencing laboratory measurements in patients with the diagnosis of reactive hypoglycemia. DESIGN AND METHODS: 21 non-obese (BMI < 27 kg/m2) patients (6 males, 15 females) complaining of postprandial symptoms suggesting hypoglycemia and who showed blood glucose values of < 54 mg/dl on one or more occasions during a 5 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were selected. RESULTS: Before treatment, ingestion of glucose decreased plasma glucose levels at the 3rd and 4th hours, the lowest levels being 39 mg/dl and 45 mg/dl respectively. Eighteen patients had hypoglycemic symptoms during OGTT. Following 3 months of acarbose treatment, the lowest plasma glucose levels at the 3rd and 4th hours increased to 67 mg/dI and 75 mg/dI respectively. Plasma insulin and c-peptide levels were reduced between the 1st and 5th hours, but only the 1st and 2nd hour decrements were statistically significant. The area under the curve (AUC) between 0-300 minutes for insulin was not significant. Plasma glucose levels were significantly increased during the last 3 hours. The AUC for glucose was not significantly changed. Frequency of hypoglycemic attacks was reduced from 4 times a week to 1. C-peptide levels in 24-hour urine collection did not change significantly: 45 micrograms/I and 56 micrograms/I respectively before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that acarbose may be of value in preventing reactive hypoglycemia by reducing the early hyperglycemic stimulus to insulin secretion, and in the treatment of reactive hypoglycemia.

Acarbose↗

Triiodothyronine antibodies in patients with goiter.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of triiodothyronine (T(3)) antibodies in patients with goiter, the influence of these antibodies on the results of thyroid hormone measurements, and the potential relationship between T(3) antibodies and thyroid autoantibodies. METHODS: We undertook a study of 100 healthy control subjects (80 female and 20 male subjects) who had no clinical or biochemical evidence of thyroid disease and 100 patients (81 female and 19 male patients) with goiter. Serum concentrations of total T(3), total thyroxine, free T(3), and free thyroxine were measured by radioimmunoassay kits with a coated tube method. An immunoprecipitation method was used to detect anti-triiodothyronine auto-antibodies. RESULTS: Patients with a T(3) antibody binding ratio +3 standard deviations (SD) above the mean for the normal control group were considered to have T(3) antibodies. Normal control group binding was 2.4 +/- 1.3%. On the basis of +3 SD, seven patients had T(3) antibodies. The mean serum total T(3) level was 1.61 +/- 0.1 nmol/L in patients with binding ratios above +3 SD, whereas the mean serum total T(3) level was 2.23 +/- 0.3 nmol/L in patients without T(3) antibodies. Thus, patients with a binding ratio above +3 SD had a significant decrement in total T(3) levels. No correlation was found between the presence of T(3) antibody and antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies. CONCLUSION: When serum thyroid hormone concentrations are measured with a coated tube-radioimmunoassay method, antibodies can result in low T(3) concentrations. T(3) antibodies should be suspected whenever a discordance is noted between the measured thyroid hormone concentrations and the clinical status.

Journal Article↗

Low basal androstenedione levels plus augmented 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and low dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate responses to adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation in patients with adrenal incidentaloma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the androstenedione, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) basal levels and responses to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in patients with adrenal incidentalomas in order to determine which enzyme defects are present. METHODS: In a study group of 23 patients (18 women and 5 men who ranged in age from 16 to 70 years) with incidentally discovered asymptomatic adrenal masses, ACTH stimulation was performed to evaluate the secretory responses of 17-OHP and DHEAS. The same test was performed in 15 age- and sex-matched control subjects. RESULTS: Of the 23 patients, 16 (70%) had a 17-OHP peak >30 nmol/L. The 17-OHP response to ACTH stimulation was significantly higher in patients with adrenal incidentalomas than in control subjects (P<0.001). Fourteen patients had basal DHEAS levels below the 3rd percentile of the control group (1.4 +/- 0.1 mmol/L). The mean stimulated DHEAS level was 1.7 +/- 0.2 mmol/L (range, 0.8 to 4.1) in patients with incidentalomas and 4.2 +/- 0.4 mmol/L (range, 1.8 to 5.6) in the control group (P<0.001). In 13 patients, stimulated DHEAS levels were low in association with high 17-OHP levels. Basal ACTH levels did not differ significantly between patients (8.14 +/- 1.2 pmol/L) and control subjects (8.73 +/- 0.7 pmol/L). Basal androstenedione levels were significantly lower in patients (1.9 +/- 0.3 nmol/L) than in control subjects (5.7 +/- 2.5 nmol/L) (P<0.001). No significant correlation was found between 17-OHP levels and tumor size. CONCLUSION: Enzyme defects may have an important role in adrenal incidentalomas. Two possible explanations for the observed abnormalities of steroid metabolism in patients with incidentalomas are that (1) the incidentalomas are true primary tumors that have aberrant steroid metabolic pathways or (2) such patients have underlying congenital adrenal hyperplasia that leads, over time, to development of pseudotumors. To assess these two possibilities, we need further studies such as genetic investigations, postoperative test results, and evidence relating the size of the adrenal mass to steroid-suppressible treatment.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗